Augusta, GA

‘Absolutely surprised’: Downtown businesses thank recent celebrations

Published

2 years ago

June 27, 2024

‘Absolutely surprised’: Downtown businesses thank recent celebrations

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Recent downtown celebrations are to thank for an unexpected business boom, according to Augusta business owners.

And it comes nearly three weeks after a gunman opened fire into a crowd on Broad Street.

Just a few weeks after downtown was shattered by the shooting, the garden city is rebounding with Juneteenth and Pride — all of which are having a positive impact on business.

And with temperatures shooting up, there’s been a concern business would wilt in the hot weather.

“Of course, the weather is not helping with it being so incredibly hot,” said Hope Trujillo, manager at Pineapple Ink.

But the events downtown these past two weekends have helped move things in the right direction.

“We were way busier than normal we had a lot of high numbers we had a lot of visitors from out of town stop in,” said Trujillo.

Pride and Juneteenth both created foot traffic in downtown Augusta.

“But that Saturday when it was complete Pride events downtown, the parade at the commons, we did 200 plus cover the whole day which is really phenomenal for a small place like ourselves,” said Trujillo.

Whether a business has been downtown for three weeks or two years, everyone saw the increase.

“We’ve been here three weeks. This Friday will be one month. I can say with the festival that happened I saw some new faces we were a little bit busier than usual,” said Anna Chavez, manager of El Paso.

Trujillo said: “We were absolutely surprised we were way busier than normal.”

Hitting just the right note at just the right time.

“Well, you do have that little slow time it’s the end of school families are going on vacation we have that little slump, so Pride and Juneteenth helped downtown get passed that little slump,” said Trujillo.

Businesses hope to see more people find their way downtown as summer goes on. They just hope the heat doesn’t keep people at home.

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Augusta, GA

Geoff Duncan campaigns in Augusta ahead of Election Day

Published

11 hours ago

April 20, 2026

Press Room

Geoff Duncan campaigns in Augusta ahead of Election Day

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Georgia gubernatorial candidate Geoff Duncan campaigned in Augusta ahead of Election Day, making stops at two churches and meeting with local faith leaders.

The former lieutenant governor visited Good Hope Baptist Church on Cedar Street, where he spoke with the Greater Augusta Interfaith Coalition’s “Music to the Polls” group.

Duncan told us that, if elected governor, he wants to expand Medicaid, pass what he called “common-sense gun legislation,” and create more economic opportunities statewide. He also pointed to affordability concerns impacting families and businesses.

“I want to take $1.7 billion of our state’s fund and wrap it around the axle of poverty,” Duncan said, adding that he wants to lower child care costs and improve temporary assistance programs.

Duncan also stopped at Miles Memorial Church on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.

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Augusta, GA

What is the cheapest city in Georgia to live with a roomate?

Published

23 hours ago

April 19, 2026

Press Room

What is the cheapest city in Georgia to live with a roomate?

As rent prices continue to strain budgets, a new study is highlighting where Georgians can save the most by splitting housing costs.

According to a report from SmartAsset, some cities in Georgia offer major savings for renters who choose to live with a roommate.

Here’s what to know.

Where can you save the most in Georgia?

The study ranks Augusta as the top city in Georgia for roommate savings, and No. 6 in the country.

Renters there can save about 45% on monthly rent, or roughly $450 per month, by sharing an apartment.

Here’s how the costs compare in Augusta:

One-bedroom rent: $1,000
Two-bedroom rent: $1,100
Estimated monthly savings with a roommate: $450

Why are roommate savings so high?

With rent prices rising, splitting costs has become one of the easiest ways to cut monthly expenses.

The study shows that sharing rent can significantly reduce housing costs, especially in cities where prices have climbed in recent years.

How does Georgia compare to the rest of the country?

Here’s the top 10 cities in the US for saving with a roomate:

Cleveland, OH
Baton Rouge, LA
Jersey City, NJ
Memphis, TN
Boise, ID
Augusta, GA
New Haven, CT
Chattanooga, TN
Virginia Beach, VA
Shreveport, LA

Methodology

The study analyzed 100 U.S. cities using rental data from March 2025 to March 2026 from Zumper, comparing one-bedroom rents to half the cost of two-bedroom apartments to estimate savings from sharing with a roommate.

For more information, visit smartasset.com/data-studies/roommate-savings-2026.

Vanessa Johns is the Trending Topics Reporter for the Deep South Connect Team Georgia. Email her at Vcountryman@gannett.com.

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Augusta, GA

Augusta nonprofit hosts family financial literacy day

Published

1 day ago

April 19, 2026

Press Room

Augusta nonprofit hosts family financial literacy day

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Families had the chance to sharpen their money skills at a financial literacy event hosted by local nonprofit Crown Her Mentoring at the Bernie Ward Community Center.

The free event offered resources for all ages, from kids learning the basics to adults planning for their financial future.

Attendees could sit in sessions about budgeting, credit, opening banking accounts and insurance options.

Organizers said the event was designed to make financial education accessible during Financial Literacy Month.

“People need to understand the importance of a checking account, a savings account—how to manage your money. How to invest your money. People need to learn about life insurance,” said Torrecka Davis, organizer.

Crown Her Mentoring will host a mental health awareness event on May 23. Open enrollment for new mentees will begin on May 10.

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